quote:Associated PressSAN JOSE, Calif. - The San Jose Sharks assigned right wing Steve Bernier and defenseman Matt Carle to their AHL affiliate in Worcester on Tuesday, demoting two of their top young prospects.

Bernier and Carle hadn't missed a game this season until both were healthy scratches in San Jose's 4-2 win over Dallas on Sunday, one day after the Sharks' worst loss in eight years, 8-0 at Phoenix. Bernier had scored just one point in his past seven games, and Carle was a minus-4 against the Coyotes.

Bernier, a second-year pro, is the Sharks' fourth-leading scorer with 11 goals and 14 assists in 39 games this season. He scored 27 points in 39 games as a rookie last season, playing on San Jose's second line alongside captain Patrick Marleau.

Carle, who won the Hobey Baker Award as the NCAA's top played last season, is San Jose's top-scoring defenseman with three goals and 18 assists in 39 games. He is sixth in the NHL in points among rookies.

I don't like this move. I know Carle started off the year very hot, he was even the top rookie scorer after about 15 games (yes I know Malkin was still hurt). The thing is that he fizzled out quite a while ago and I really think that this is strange timing to send him down. I wish they would have sent him down earlier, to get more practice in the AHL so they could bring him back up in time for the final stretch into the playoffs. He still has time to develop before then, but it will be more of a rushed process. This is case and point as to why San Jose needs to sign an experienced defenseman that can lead players like Carle. If they don't get one before the trade deadline, they could struggle in the playoffs. I hate to say this, but out with Nabokov and his $25 million and bring in a Brian Rafalski, or a Rob Blake or a Sergei Zubov or Pronger or Niedermayer or someone like them, I don't care. They need someone...

I feel bad for Bernier. After having great playoffs with his usual linemates (Marleau and Michalek), he plays a few games with them this season then gets changed lines. Then Joe Pavelski happens. Well this kid is playing so well, let's put him on the top line. Well that means someone has to move down, and that's none other than Steve Bernier. If there is one thing I don't like about Ron Wilson it's that he shuffles his lines too much. Bernier has gotten the brunt of this and is now getting sent down? Put him back with Michalek and Marleau instead of moving them up and down from the top two lines and give him some time.